Medical Professionals’ Sensitivity to Patient’s Religious and Spiritual Backgrounds and It’s Effects on Prevention, Treatment, and/or Recovery in the United States

This thesis reviewed the current cultural, religious and spiritual concerns of a patient, regarding the relationship between the patient and medical professional. Common issues medical professionals have been exposed to in terms of cultural differences was also explored. This thesis reviewed whether medical schools, nursing schools and pharmacy schools have incorporated enough training to prepare future healthcare professionals. Most programs have started to incorporate courses in cultural awareness, however, all three fields did not have national requirements for what must be taught, and therefore the quantity as well as quality in training depended on each program. For the future, national requirements based off guidelines made available to all programs should be invested in to make sure all programs meet a requirement.